Premier Division Young Player of the Year

AFC Fylde's Sean Cooke hailed the 2013 Players of the Year Awards as a fantastic advert for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s stars.

Cook, 20, was named as the Premier Division's Young Player of the Year at last Sunday night's event in Barnsley, climbing on stage in front of more than 250 guests to collect his honour from Doncaster Rovers manager Brian Flynn, pictured.

With more than 20 goals to his name from midfield this season, the former Crewe Alexandra youth player knows all about attracting attention and believes the awards can only help the NPL's young players when they know the spotlight is on them.

Cooke, who arrived at Kellamergh Park from Nantwich in mid-February, said: "This award means a lot to me. I think it was a very good idea and for all the young players especially. Commercially it must also be good for everyone - the players, the clubs and fans - as it shows that we recognise talent.

"Winning this award can only help me. At the moment all we’re thinking about is the league and our games. In five years from now I hope I’m still scoring and can look back at getting the award, but from the Football League."

The Coasters star was one of 39 players who collected their trophies from Flynn, the other winners coming from the divisional teams of the year, players of the year and young players of the year. In the only non-players award of the night, Matlock Town Chief Executive Keith Brown was presented with a Merit Award for his services to the Evo-Stik NPL and the Football Association.

Kidsgrove Athletic's Jack Sherratt, fresh from winning Samsung's 'Win a Pro Contract' competition last weekend, was named as the First Division South Young Player of the Year while the First Division North award went to Skelmersdale United's Gary Burnett. Curzon Ashton's Kristian Dennis and Halesowen's Ben Haseley took home the First Division North and First Division South Player of the Year honours while Elliott Durrell won the Premier Division’s accolade.

Hosted by John Jones and Evo-Stik NPL Chairman Mark Harris, the awards are now in their second year after last season's inaugural event also took place at the four star Brooklands Holiday Inn Barnsley. The brainchild of former Manchester City keeper and NPL stalwart Alan Ogley, the awards are unique in the top levels of Non-Football with the focus on recognising the league's star players and the winners chosen by managers and coaches. Guests enjoyed a three course dinner and entertainment from one of the North’s top comedians, Lea Roberts, the former Rugby League professional.

Media students from Barnsley College played a key role planning and running the event for the second year running, organising everything from the sound and lighting to filming the awards for internet highlights which will available to view from Monday on the homepage.

Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Team of the Year
GK Ben Hinchliffe (AFC Fylde)
RB Kyle Jacobs (FCUM)
LB Mathew Wood (Witton Albion)
CH Adam Jones (FCUM)
CH Marc Roberts (Buxton)
M Elliott Durrell (Hednesford)
M Sean Cooke (Fylde)
M Michael Barnes (Fylde)
F Ryan Kendall (NFU)
F Anthony Wilson (NFU)
F Gavin Allott (Frickley Athletic)

Evo-Stik NPL First Division North Team of the Year
GK Samuel Ashton (Skelmersdale Utd)
RB Lewis Field (Skelmersdale Utd)
LB Louis Corrigan (Skelmersdale Utd)
CH Tom Hardwick (Skelmersdale Utd)
CH Nia Bayunu (Trafford)
M Carlos Meakin (New Mills)
M Samuel Walker (Curzon Ashton)
M Gary Stopforth (Ramsbottom United)
F Kristian Dennis (Curzon Ashton)
F Michael Oates (Trafford)
F Lee Gaskell (Ramsbottom United)

Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Team of the Year
GK Sean Bowles (Coalville Town)
RB Daniel Smith (Leek Town)
LB Cameron Stuart (Coalville Town)
CH Philip Gulliver (King’s Lynn Town)
CH Michael Nottingham (Gresley)
M Stephen Spriggs (King’s Lynn Town)
M Andrew Hall (Stamford)
M Daniel Shelley (Leek Town)
F Ben Haseley (Halesowen)
F Ricky Miller (Stamford)
F Ryan Robbins (Coalville Town)

Image courtesy of Graham Lindley